Amaravati, Nov 11 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has reiterated the need to form a board dedicated to the safeguarding of Sanatana Dharma.

He emphasized that Sanatana Dharma represents one of the most ancient and continuously evolving civilizations, asserting that it is crucial to establish the Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana Board with the agreement of all involved parties.

The Jana Sena leader expressed his concerns in response to findings from a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team. This team uncovered that a dairy from Uttarakhand, which had never processed a single drop of milk, managed to supply 68 lakh kg of ghee valued at Rs. 250 crore to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) between 2019 and 2024. This revelation came during investigations into the alleged adulteration of ghee used for preparing Tirupati laddus.

"For Hindus globally, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is not just a pilgrimage site; it is a revered spiritual journey. The Tirupati Laddu is more than a sweet; it symbolizes shared emotions and collective faith, distributed among friends, family, and even strangers. Annually, approximately 2.5 crore devotees visit Tirumala. Any mockery or undermining of Sanatani beliefs is deeply damaging, eroding the trust and devotion of millions worldwide," Pawan Kalyan shared on ‘X’.

He added, "Secularism must embody mutual respect. Our faith deserves protection and cannot be a topic for negotiation. Given that Sanatana Dharma is one of the most ancient and evolving civilizations, it is essential to establish the Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana Board with broad consensus."

In another statement, he criticized the previous TTD Board for significant administrative failures and unethical actions that harmed the sanctity of Tirumala. He stated that this painful breach of trust should serve as a vital lesson for the current TTD Board to work diligently to restore Tirumala's sanctity and regain devotees' trust.

"For all involved in managing TTD—from the Board to the bureaucrats, EO, JEO, and every employee, contractor, and vendor—your roles are not merely titles but sacred opportunities to provide divine service to millions of Sanatanis. I urge TTD to prioritize transparency in all endeavors—from financial statements to quality control and audits—making all information publicly accessible," he remarked.

"While the formation of a Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana Board is a forward-thinking step, the duty to protect and uphold Dharma lies with every Sanatani. It is my fervent hope that one day, all temples across the nation will be managed by the community and the devotees themselves—this is our responsibility," he concluded.

In response to Pawan Kalyan’s comments, YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Ambati Rambabu criticized him, questioning his sudden activism. He asked, "Where was this so-called protector of faith when six devotees perished in the Tirupati stampede? Why did he remain silent during the tragedies at Simhachalam and Kasibugga?" Rambabu also accused Kalyan of failing to show compassion to grieving families.

"Not a single visit, no condolences, and no acknowledgment of the tragedies. When 189,000 kg of cow meat was seized from TDP leader Subrahmanya Gupta’s cold storage, the self-proclaimed Sanātani went silent again. No outrage, no condemnation—only silence and hypocrisy," he stated.

"But now, just before YSRCP’s November 12 rallies against medical college privatization, Pawan suddenly reappears, rushing to X and echoing Naidu’s propaganda. This is not Dharma; it’s desperate political maneuvering," Rambabu added.